The Boys & Girls Club selected as February's Stark County Organization of the Month

02/01/16

About MCTV's Organization of the Month

Charitable behavior can lead to psychological, spiritual, and emotional well-being benefits for the giver. Besides helping the community and being a part of a greater good, charitable donations are tax deductible, can give you a sense of purpose and can help keep you informed about issues of social injustice. Each month, MCTV highlights two local non-profit organizations. We have donation boxes set up in our lobbies and have information on our websites about each charity, along with links to their respective websites. MCTV’s commitment to charitable causes creates new ways for you to find, learn about, and support local charities. We try to make a bigger difference in the causes you care about the most and become partners with the organizations in order to bring about change. Donate with confidence to these organizations. They are low-risk organizations, have targeted goals, function with good governance and have transparency policies. To learn more, visit our community involvement page.

MCTV is pleased to recognize The Boys & Girls Club of Massillon as our Community Organization of the Month. Please join us in thanking them for their efforts to improve the quality of life in Stark County. You can support them financially at our office or online at www.massillonkids.org.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The Boys & Girls Club of Massillon is dedicated to equipping young people with the skills and character traits they need to succeed in life.

The Boys & Girls Club of Massillon was founded in 1936 by Dr. H.W. Bell, a prominent Massillon physician. By the following year, 351 boys had signed on as members. In 1949, the Club became affiliated with the Boys Clubs of America and Mr. A.E. Secrist became the full-time director and the Club joined the community fund. Over the years, the Club has had several members who became Youth of the Year then advance to receive State Youth of the Year honors, and one member, Jace L. Smith, became National Youth of the Year in 1980. Throughout the Club’s history, there have been many successful directors, such as Robert “Joe” Hibbard who served from 1975 until the end of 1998. In June of 2000, Vincent Pedro was appointed to Executive Director to continue to lead the area’s youth.

What the Boys & Girls Club Offers

Fun! Rule number one for almost everything that happens at the Club is that it must be fun.

A Safe Place! The Club is a safe place where young people can come to enjoy themselves and be with their friends.

Opportunities! Club members have the opportunity to learn, grow, give back to the community, discover their needs, set goals, and meet new friends.

A Full Schedule of Great Activities! From simple games to leadership opportunities, the Boys & Girls Club offers a wide range of activities. Contact them for more information about the available programs.

Age-Appropriate Services! Boys & Girls Clubs strive to meet the youth development needs in their communities. Stop by, meet the staff, and learn more about what they have to offer.

The Boys & Girls Clubs Core Programs

Core programs engage young people in activities with adults, peers, and family members that enable them to reach their full potential. Based on the interests and needs of the boys and girls they serve, Clubs offer diverse program activities in five areas:

Character and Leadership Development

Empower youth to become global citizens who support and influence their Club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image and good character, and respect their own and others’ cultural identities.

Education and Career Development

Enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, set goals, explore careers, prepare for employment, and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.

Health and Life Skills

Develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals, and live successfully as self-sufficient adults.

The Arts

Encourage youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts, and creative writing.

Sports, Fitness, and Recreation

Programs develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment, and social skills.

Who Can Join?

Anyone between the ages of 6 and 18 who is in the 1st through 12th grade can join the Club for only $10 per year. Contact the Club for more information regarding membership and/or program fees.

When Can You Go?

The Club is open during hours when kids most need a place to go after school and all day in the summer. For specific hours during the academic year or the summer, just call 330-833-4395.

How Do You Join?

Stop by the Club and meet the staff. They’ll be happy to give you a tour or assist you in completing a membership form. For more information, call 330-833-4395.